Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has said it is morally wrong for the councils to conduct business activities and it is the main reason that hinders efforts to gain profit.
Speaking at the ceremony to initiate the Southern Conference participated by parliamentarians and councillors from southern atolls, Speaker Nasheed said the parliament is working to reform the law on decentralisation and spoke about its gains for the people when completed and implemented.
Nasheed stated the people of the islands do not receive adequate water and sewerage services and there is no reason that such services cannot be carried out by the councils. He said the councils must avoid doing any forms of business and explained the problems involved with it. He further stated the infrastructure and all other assets in the island will be transferred to the councils and all the wealth gained from them will be distributed under supervision of the president of the atoll council with the coordination of the central government.
The speaker said the parliament will bring development and prosperity to people by passing a budget over USD 2.5 billon for the next fiscal year.